BULLETIN of the. Chicago Herpetological Society. Volume 40, Number 3 March 2005

Transcription

1 BULLETIN of the Chicago Herpetological Society Volume 40, Number 3 March 2005

2 BULLETIN OF THE CHICAGO HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 40, Number 3 March Amphibians and Lizards from Sonora, Chihuahua and Coahuila.. Hobart M. Smith, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal and David Chiszar 45 Observations on Ectoparasitism by Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Acari: Trombiculidae) in a Population of Sceloporus cyanogenys Cristina García-de la Peña, Gamaliel Castañeda and David Lazcano 52 Notes on Geckos of the Genus Siwaligekko Khan, 2003 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Pakistan Muhammad Sharif Khan 54 Book Review: The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere by Jonathan A. Campbell and William W. Lamar David Chiszar, Hobart M. Smith and Julio A. Lemos-Espinal 57 HerPET-POURRI...Ellin Beltz 59 Unofficial Minutes of the CHS Board Meeting, February 11, Advertisements Announcements: 2005 CHS Grant Recipients Cover: Striped beaked snake, Rhamphiophis acutus. Drawing from Genera des Serpents du Congo et du Ruanda-Urundi by Gaston-François de Witte, Musee Royal de l Afrique Centrale Tervuren, Belgium. Annales Serie in 8º Sciences Zoologiques No. 104, STAFF Editor: Michael A. Dloogatch --- madadder0@aol.com Advertising Manager: Ralph Shepstone 2005 CHS Board of Directors Lori King, President Linda Malawy, Vice-President Jim Hoffman, Treasurer Melanie Aspan, Recording Secretary Deb Krohn, Corresponding Secretary Mike Dloogatch, Publications Secretary Steve Spitzer, Membership Secretary Ron Humbert, Sergeant-at-Arms Sean Bober, Member-at-Large Betsy Davis, Member-at-Large Steve Sullivan, Member-at-Large Jenny Vollman, Member-at-Large The Chicago Herpetological Society is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois. Its purposes are education, conservation and the advancement of herpetology. Meetings are announced in this publication, and are normally held at 7:30 P.M., the last Wednesday of each month. Membership in the CHS includes a subscription to the monthly Bulletin. Annual dues are: Individual Membership, $25.00; Family Membership, $28.00; Sustaining Membership, $50.00; Contributing Membership, $100.00; Institutional Membership, $ Remittance must be made in U.S. funds. Subscribers outside the U.S. must add $12.00 for postage. Send membership dues or address changes to: Chicago Herpetological Society, Membership Secretary, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL Manuscripts published in the Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society are not peer reviewed. Manuscripts should be submitted, if possible, on IBM PC-compatible or Macintosh format diskettes. Alternatively, manuscripts may be submitted in duplicate, typewritten and double spaced. Manuscripts and letters concerning editorial business should be sent to: Chicago Herpetological Society, Publications Secretary, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL Back issues are limited but are available from the Publications Secretary for $2.50 per issue postpaid. Visit the CHS home page at < The Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society (ISSN ) is published monthly by the Chicago Herpetological Society, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago IL Periodicals postage paid at Chicago IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Chicago Herpetological Society, Membership Secretary, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago IL Copyright 2005.

3 Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 40(3):45-51, Amphibians and Lizards from Sonora, Chihuahua and Coahuila Hobart M. Smith, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal and David Chiszar Abstract We report here on 21 taxa of amphibians and 40 taxa of lizards. Numerous new locality records are represented, and there are taxonomy, variation and natural history notes for a number of taxa, most importantly for Bufo mexicanus, Eleutherodactylus augusti cactorum, Hyla arenicolor, H. wrightorum, Aspidoscelis costata barrancarum, Callisaurus draconoides bogerti, Holbrookia elegans thermophila, Sceloporus cyanostictus, S. merriami and Urosaurus ornatus lateralis. Hyla smithii and Hypopachus variolosus are additions to the known fauna of Chihuahua. All specimens reported herewith were collected by JLE during the summer and fall of 2004, and are in the Herpetological Collection of the Unidad de Biología, Tecnología y Prototipos (UBIPRO), Laboratorio de Ecología, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, UNAM, Iztacala, Mexico state, Mexico. Amphibians Ambystoma rosaceum rosaceum Taylor. Nos , are from Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m; , Gorogachi, Chihuahua ( N, W), 700 m; 13046, Milpillas ( N, W), 1250 m; 13073, Canelas (Chínipas), Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. All are larvae except 12668, a transformed adult 77 mm SVL, found DOR. It has a profusely light-spotted pattern much as shown in Tanner (1989, p. 49). The locality is intermediate between those shown by Anderson (1978) between northern and southern Sonora. Bufo cognatus Say. No and another without number are from Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W), 1051 m. No other records are known from this vicinity, although it is well within the range of the species. Bufo debilis insidior Girard. Nos , , , , Charcos de Risa, Coahuila ( W, W), 1114 m; 12295, betw Sierra de En Medio and Rancho Nogales, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1427 m. No differences were observed among these samples; all are from well within the known range of the subspecies, although the localities are new. Bufo mazatlanensis Taylor. Nos , are from Valle de Tacupeto, Sonora ( N, W), 435 m; , Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m; , km 104 on Sonora 117, betw Nuri and Tesopaco ( N, W), 532 m; , betw Fronteras and Esquela, 49 km S Agua Prieta, Sonora ( N, W), 1136 m; 13034, 13036, Chínipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. The specimens from Sonora extend the known range of the species about 140 km northward in that state, to the highest elevation recorded; they are typical adults. The recently transformed juveniles from near Nuri, all about 16 mm SVL with no vestiges of a tail, were taken 26 July. The parotoid glands are clearly distinguishable. On the basis of their shape, the presence of a light vertebral stripe, the mottled lips and dark sides of abdomen their identification is assured. They show more clearly than the adults the distinctive row of tubercles along the upper edge of the dark sides, much as in B. valliceps and B. nebulifer of the Atlantic coast. The mottling of the lips and the dark band on the sides of the body are more pronounced in the juveniles than in the adults, and the chest and often the throat are densely pigmented, unlike the adults. Bufo mexicanus Brocchi. Nos and are from Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. These specimens possess the features characteristic of the species, including the absence of cranial crests, presence of a black inner metatarsal tubercle (even in the juvenile 30 mm SVL), and ovoid parotoid glands half as wide as long. The venter is unmarked in the adult; a few black flecks are on the throat and chest of the juvenile. The latter has eight small thickenings on the abdomen, involving 2 4 granules, perhaps produced by mites. The species is known in Sonora only from the vicinity of Yécora, where it was mapped by Price and Sullivan (1988). Bufo punctatus Baird and Girard. Nos are from Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W), 1051 m; , 12263, 53 km S Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W), 1084 m; , Valle de Tacupeto, Sonora ( N, W), 435 m; , 12789, Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m; 13039, , Chínipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. All eastern specimens (Coahuila) are uniform light tan above, whereas all western specimens (Sonora, western Chihuahua) are dark gray above. Eleutherodactylus augusti cactorum Taylor. Nos and are from Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. Both are half-grown, 47 and 49 mm SVL, and have lost all evidence of the broad light band across the dorsum that is characteristic of juveniles. The dorsal pattern resembles that of E. tarahumaraensis, but a 1. Department of Ecology and Environmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO hsmith@colorado.edu 2. Laboratorio de Ecología, Tecnología y Prototipos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM, Apartado Postal 314, Avenida de Los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México. lemos@servidor.unam.mx 3. Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO chiszar@clipr.colorado.edu 45

4 well-developed intertympanic fold is present. The present locality is the only one for the species north of the extreme southern tip of the state (Zweifel, 1967). Gastrophryne olivacea (Hallowell). Nos are from Río Mayo at the gates of Presa Mocuzari, Sonora ( N W), 90 m; 12329, 12667, Charcos de Risa, Coahuila ( N, W), 1114 m; 12614, Tacupeto, Sonora ( N, W), 435 m; , Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. Hyla arenicolor Cope. Nos , are from Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m; 13058, Huisivo, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. Both localities are well within the known range of the species. Although found in the same general area where Gastrophryne and Hyla wrightorum were breeding in huge numbers, this species did not participate in the breeding choruses; all were found under objects and were scarce. Hyla smithii Boulenger. Nos and are from Ejido Gorogachi, Chihuahua ( N, W), 700 m. These are the first of the species reported from Chihuahua, extending the known range northward about 257 km. They are somewhat larger (36 37 mm SVL vs 31 mm) and lack the light, dark-bordered lateral lines on the body that are characteristic of the species. A dark line is present above the arm insertion, as normal, but it does not continue onto the sides of the body. Otherwise the pattern and coloration are normal, as figured in Duellman, 2001). Hyla wrightorum Taylor. Nos and are from Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. These are typical specimens, and the only ones reported for the state, although the species was previously reported from Yécora on the basis of a photograph (Duellman, 2001). The locality is incorrectly mapped, however, in the vicinity of Agua Prieta, whereas Yécora is south of the middle of the state near the Chihuahua border. This species was found in great abundance after a very heavy rainstorm, along with Gastrophryne. Hypopachus variolosus (Cope). Nos are from San Antonio, 3 km N Chinipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. These are the first specimens of the species taken from the state, although it has been recorded from adjacent southern Sonora. These specimens (males), with collapsed vocal sacs, appear to be adults, but at 38 mm SVL they are considerably smaller than the maximum for males reported for the species (47 mm), although about the same as those reported from Tepic, Nayarit (39 mm). The feet are about 1/4 webbed, two large metatarsal tubercles are present, and there is a fine postocular groove across the head. The back and top of head are mostly olive brown, shading to light brown on the sides; the venter is white and with a very dim darker reticulation. The sides of the head and neck are dark brown, and some irregular dark spots are present in the sacral region and on the hind legs. The sides are weakly reticulated with brown in one, not in the other. The single vocal sac is black. Unusual is the absence of a dorsal pattern or a median white line on body or rear of thigh; most specimens from elsewhere have a large, inverted V-shaped pattern on the back. Variation in the species is great, both geographic and intra-populational, defying recognition of two or more species in this complex, although many names have been proposed (Nelson, 1974). Nevertheless, Frost in Crother (2000) regarded the taxonomy of this complex as unsettled. Leptodactylus melanonotus (Hallowell). Nos are from Río Mayo at the gates of Presa Mocuzari, Sonora ( N, W), 90 m. All have the V- shaped interocular dark mark characteristic of the species. Males have a pair of black spines on the thumb. Of the 3 males, the largest is 31 mm SVL, the smallest 23 mm; the thumb spines are evident in all. The largest of 3 females is 39 mm. The species has been reported previously from the same area, suggestive that it may also occur in Chihuahua. Pachymedusa dacnicolor (Cope). Nos are from Valle de Tacupeto, Sonora ( N, W), 435 m. They are females, 61 and 64 mm SVL, with a few to numerous very tiny white spots on dorsum. The species was reported from the same locality by Lemos-Espinal, Smith, Hartman and Chiszar (2004). Pternohyla fodiens Boulenger. Nos , are from Valle de Tacupeto, Sonora ( N, W), 435 m. This locality is at the extreme eastern edge of the range of the species in Sonora. Its occurrence in Chihuahua seems likely. Rana forreri Boulenger. No is from Milpillas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1250 m. This specimen is a transformling 24 mm SVL with a 49 mm tail and 11 mm forelegs. The body is dark, with no visible spots, no labial light line, and the lower rear surface of the thigh is dark. The dorsolateral folds appear to be unbroken posteriorly. Rana magnaocularis Frost and Bagnara. Ten specimens, all from Chihuahua, include 8 from the vicinity of Chínipas: , La Loma; , Huisivo; , Canelas; and 13097, Chínipas ( N, W), 469 m. No is from Gorogachi ( N, W), 700 m. Nos and are large tadpoles with partially degenerate mouthparts. The dorsolateral folds are broken posteriorly in all. Rana tarahumarae Boulenger. Nos and are from Gorogachi, Chihuahua ( N, W), 700 m. The dorsolateral folds are missing in all, and the largest is 95 mm SVL. Scaphiopus couchii Baird. Nos are from Ejido San Juanito, Sonora ( N, W), 9 m; , , , , Charcos de Risa, Coahuila ( N, W), 1114 m; , Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W), 1051 m; , 12654, Valle de Tacupeto, Sonora ( N, W), 435 m. The dorsal pattern is highly variable, from extremes of a patternless dorsum with small, sparsely scattered black dots to a boldly reticulated pattern of narrow to coarse black lines. Most distinctive are the 3 from Tacupeto (which is at the 46

5 eastern edge of the range of the species in Sonora); two are almost totally black above, and the other has less light area on the dorsum than any other of the entire series. Smilisca baudinii (Duméril and Bibron). Nos and are from Gorogachi, Chihuahua ( N, W), 700 m. The few existing records of this species in Chihuahua are in the general vicinity of Chínipas, except for Riito (Duellman, 2001), which is about one degree of latitude north. The latter locality is in oak-pine forest where the species does not occur; the material must have come from a lower altitude in one of the adjacent, very deep canyons where semitropical conditions exist. Spea stagnalis (Cope). No is from the Zona de Silencio, Coahuila ( N, W), 1084 m. This specimen has the small, widely-spaced tubercles that distinguish this species from its related S. multiplicata, as pointed out by Tanner (1989), as S. hammondii stagnalis, which was elevated to species rank by Lemos-Espinal, Auth et al. (2001). This locality lies well within the known range of the species, although in a little-known region. Lizards Anolis nebulosus (Wiegmann). Nos , , and one with no number, are from Chinipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. Lieb (1981) recorded it from 2 mi SW Milpillas, and Tanner (1987) from Urique and 2 mi N Maguarichic. To judge from the record from Nacori Chico in Sonora (Lieb, 1981), the species probably occurs in Chihuahua to near 30 N. Aspidoscelis burti stictogramma (Burger). No is from nr Cumpas, Sonora ( N, W), 814 m. This is an adult (105 mm SVL) with no evidence of longitudinal stripes. The dorsum has prominent, rounded light spots more or less equal in diameter to the dark spaces between them. The sides are boldly barred, from axilla to groin, apparently produced by fusion of vertical rows of light spots. The throat is pale pinkish, with some tiny, scattered black flecks. The anterior edges of the ventrals are black. Except for the bars on the sides of the body, the pattern closely resembles the figure (pl. 40) in Stebbins (2003). Aspidoscelis costata barrancarum (Zweifel). No is from Río Mayo at the gates of Presa Mocuzari, Sonora ( N, W), 326 m; 12799, Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m.; 12962, Tacupeto, Sonora ( N, W), 435 m; , , 13067, , 13096, 13102, Chínipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. Material from the Chínipas area has been reported previously by Lemos-Espinal, Walker and Smith (2003) and Walker et al. (2003a, b), but Presa Mocuzari is farther west than other localities for the subspecies, and narrows the gap between the ranges of that subspecies and A. c. griseocephala (Zweifel, 1959). The specimen from Yécora extends the known range of the subspecies northward about 120 km. Aspidoscelis exsanguis (Lowe). Nos , are from Cañón del Oso, Sierra de San Luis, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1661 m; , Puerto de San Luis, Sierra San Luis, Sonora ( N, W), 1417 m; 12563, Rancho Nogales, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1461 m. This species was found sympatric with A. sonorae. Aspidoscelis marmorata variolosa (Cope). No is from Charcos de Risa, Coahuila ( N, W), 1114 m. The throat is entirely black, and the chest and anterior part of the abdomen uniform black. The posterior part of the abdomen is spotted black. We recognize but two subspecies of A. marmorata (Lemos-Espinal, Chiszar and Smith, 1994). Aspidoscelis sonorae (Lowe and Wright). All are from Chihuahua: 12274, , , Sierra de En Medio ( N, W), 1436 m; 12301, , Cañón de Oso, Sierra de San Luis ( N, W), 1661 m; 12327, Rancho Nogales ( N, W), 1461 m. This species was found sympatric with A. exsanguis and A. uniparens. Aspidoscelis tigris aethiops Cope. Nos are from km 25, hwy 16, Sonora ( N, W), 339 m; , , , , Ortiz, Valle de Guaymas, Sonora ( N, W), 103 m. The variation in this series will be reported elsewhere. Aspidoscelis uniparens (Wright and Lowe). All are from Chihuahua: , 12280, 12283, 12330, Sierra de En Medio ( N, W), 1436 m; 12797, pradera de Janos ( N, W), 1427 m. This species was found sympatric with A. sonorae. Callisaurus draconoides brevipes Bogert and Dorson. Nos , 13201, 13377, are from Valle de Guaymas ( N, W), 103 m. Both are adults, smaller than those of C. d. ventralis; the male is 69 mm SVL, the female 71 mm. They are nearly uniform dark tan above. The lateral abdominal patches are very small and faint in the female, distinct but short in the male. A pink spot is anterior to the semeions, and the center of the throat is pink, in both specimens. These differ markedly from the specimens here referred to C. d. ventralis, a well-known, more northern subspecies, in the smaller, less colorful abdominal semeions, presence of pink on the sides of the abdomen and throat, and possibly size. There is some evidence that some DNA differences exist between what we here call C. d. ventralis and C. d. brevipes (D. Frost, pers. com.). The name for the Guaymas specimens is problematical. Both Fugler and Dixon (1961) and Hardy and McDiarmid (1969) distinguished C. d. brevipes Bogert and Dorson (1942; see also Bogert and Oliver, 1945) of southeastern Sonora from the coastal C. d. bogerti Martín del Campo (1943) of Sinaloa and southwestern Sonora. However, there is no evidence that at least a 70% reliability of the supposed differences exist, and the localities of record for the two taxa in northern Sinaloa do not differ materially from the arid habitats in the vicinity of the localities for the types of C. d. brevipes (Alamos, Guirocoba). Likewise the pattern and coloration throughout these areas appear to be much the same. We therefore conclude that these populations should bear the prior name, C. d. brevipes. Callisaurus draconoides ventralis (Hallowell). All are from Sonora: , Sierra Seri nr Punta Chueca ( N, W), 75 m, April 22; 12134, Bahía Kino 47

6 ( N, W), 31 m, May 28; 12334, nr Bahía Kino ( N, W), 48 m, April 23. The two from Bahía Kino are adult males, 87 and 75 mm SVL, densely white-speckled above. A large, dark blue wash covers much of the sides of the venter, and contains two diagonal dark bars. The throat is dark gray, and several dark bars are on the sides. There is no pink color. The specimens from Sierra Seri are juveniles mm SVL. The female has paravertebral rows of rounded black spots 2 mm in diameter; the sides of the dorsum have a series of large dark spots, fused or partially so. Paired, weak dark bars are on each side of the abdomen; the sides of the throat are barred, and no pink is evident on the body. The male is speckled above, like those from Bahía Kino, the throat is gray posteriorly, and the abdominal semeions are about half as long as in the Bahía Kino specimens. There is no pink color, although the specimens were taken in the breeding season. Coleonyx brevis Stejneger. All are from Coahuila: , Charcos de Risa ( N, W), 1096 m; 12199, 49 km S Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1163 m; , 80 km S Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1091 m; , 120 km S Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1088 m; , 10 km S Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1085 m; , , Sierra Texas, Cueva del Tabaco ( N, W), 1560 m. Ordinarily this species is seldom encountered. On the contrary, on this occasion they were found abundantly on roads at night, feeding on huge numbers of flying ants. Coleonyx variegatus sonoriensis Klauber. No is from the hwy intersection of Calle Coyoacán, Sonora ( N, W), 43 m; , Puerto Libertad, Sonora, 40 km S ( N, W), 172 m, and 94 km S ( N, W), 164 m. Cophosaurus texanus scitulus (Peters). No is from Balneario de Viesca, Coahuila ( N, W), 1112 m. This hatchling is but 26 mm SVL, captured July 14. The locality is well within the known range of the subspecies. Crotaphytus antiquus Axtell and Webb. No is from Sierra de San Lorenzo, Coahuila ( N, W), 1108 m. This locality is very near the northern end of the Sierra de San Lorenzo, and probably is at the northern end of the range of the species; other known localities are farther south in that Sierra, or in the intersecting Sierra Texas. Crotaphytus collaris (Say). No is from La Virgen, 25 km S Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W), 1211 m; 12242, , 10 km S Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W), 1085 m; 12243, 9.5 km S Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W), 1087 m; 12244, 12503, Estación del Oro, Coahuila ( N, W), 1189 m; 12300, halfway between Sierra de En Medio and Rancho Nogales, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1427 m; 12312, 12504, Esmeralda, Coahuila ( N, W), 1189 m; 12513, km 166 rd to Químicas del Rey, Coahuila ( N, W),1123 m; 12312, S La Esmeralda, Coahuila ( N, W), 1155 m; 12313, Rancho Peñoles, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1194 m; 12314, Sierra de En Medio, pradera de Janos, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1437 m. All of these have relatively large white spots scattered over the dorsum. None of the females have the black lateral spots on the abdomen as reported by Lemos-Espinal, Smith and Chiszar (2002). Crotaphytus dickersonae Schmidt. Nos , , 12335, Bahia Kino, Sonora ( N, W), 31 m. Ctenosaura macrolopha Smith. No , Ortiz, Valle de Guaymas, Sonora ( N, W), 103 m; 12865, Soyapa, nr Tecoripa, Sonora ( N, W), 390 m. Dipsosaurus dorsalis sonoriensis Allen. No , Bahia Kino, Sonora ( N, W), 31 m; , Ortiz, Valle de Guaymas, Sonora ( N, W), 103 m. Eumeces callicephalus Bocourt. No , Chinipas (Canelas), Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m; , 12955, Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. The species was previously reported from southwestern Chihuahua, near Batopilas, at 435 m, by Lemos-Espinal, Smith and Chiszar (2001). In one from Yécora the parietals narrowly fail to enclose the interparietal. No , 24 mm SVL, was taken on 25 July. Gambelia wislizenii (Baird and Girard). No , km 164, rd to Sierra Mojada, Coahuila ( N, W), 1123 m. Heloderma horridum exasperatum Bogert and Martín del Campo. Nos , , 13121, are from nr Chínipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. Heloderma suspectum suspectum Cope. Nos , and 1 no no., are from Ortiz, km 25 hwy 16, Chihuahua- Hermosillo, Sonora ( N, W), 339 m. Holbrookia approximans Baird. Nos , Cañón del Oso, Sierra de San Luis, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1661 m; 12316, Sierra de San Luis, Sonora ( N, W), 1417 m; nr Rancho Nogales, Sierra de San Luis, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1461 m; 12357, Sierra de San Lorenzo, Coahuila ( N, W), 1108 m. The specimen from Coahuila is a large male (66 m SVL), with extensive blue patches surrounding the paired lateral black bars. Three of the 4 from Chihuahua and Sonora are adult females, mm SVL; none have any pink on the throat (as does H. elegans), and the paired lateral dark bars are either poorly developed and gray (not jet black or absent, unlike H. maculata). The male (48 mm SVL) has sharply defined, jet black, paired bars on the sides of the abdomen; a small bluish area partially surrounds the black bars. Holbrookia elegans thermophila Barbour. Nos , Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m; , , , , Ortiz, Valle de Guaymas, Sonora ( N, W), 103 m; 48

7 11953, nr Arroyo Chuchujaqui, Sonora ( N, W), 322 m; 11965, nr Guirocoba, Sonora ( N, W), 301 m; , Río Mayo at gates of Presa Mocuzari, Sonora ( N, W), 326 m; , 13010, 13101, Chínipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m. The specimens from Yécora were taken at an exceptionally high altitude; both are 48 mm SVL, and the female has a pink spot in the center of the throat. All others are less than 58 mm SVL, lack the pink spot, and all others over that length (maximum 68 mm) have it. All males, the smallest 48 mm SVL, exhibit at least a little blue coloration about the paired lateral abdominal black bars. It appears that a categorical difference exists between mature females of H. elegans, with a pink throat spot, and H. approximans, without it. Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan). Nos , are from Charcos de Risa, Coahuila ( N, W), 1114 m. Phrynosoma modestum Girard. All localities in Coahuila: 12198, Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1051 m; 12239, Zona del Silencio ( N, W), 1084 m; 12245, km 164, rd to Sierra Mojada ( N, W), 1123 m; 12262, 120 km S Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1088 m; 12271, Charcos de Risa ( N, W), 1096 m; , 10 km S Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1085 m; 12356, Cueva del Tabaco, Sierra Texas ( N, W), 1133 m; , 60 km S Químicas del Rey ( N, W), 1082 m. Phrynosoma solare Gray. All are from Sonora: 12126, 56 km S Puerto Libertad ( N, W), 172 m; 12127, 78.2 km S Puerto Libertad ( N, W), 172 m; , , Ortiz, Valle de Guaymas ( N, W), 103 m. One laid 10 eggs, mm, on 9 August. Sceloporus albiventris Smith. Nos , are from Chínipas, Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m; 13043, Gorogachi, Chihuahua ( N, W), 700 m. Sceloporus clarkii clarkii Baird and Girard. Nos , Sierra de En Medio, pradera de Janos, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1436 m; , Rancho Nogales, pradera de Janos, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1461 m; , Chínipas (Canelas), Chihuahua ( N, W), 469 m; 12613, Nuri, Sonora ( N, W), 363 m; , Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. Sceloporus cyanostictus Axtell and Axtell. Nos , 12358, 12487, are from nr Cueva del Tabaco, Sierra Texas, Coahuila ( N, W), 1133 m. The adult male is bright green on the dorsum posterior to the collar, including the base of the tail. The collar is complete ventrally and dorsally, covers 2 scale rows, has a complete light green posterior border and a series of spots of similar color on the anterior border. The sides of the abdomen are green, but a broad central area from the complete black collar into the groin is black. The throat is weakly suffused with gray laterally. In the 3 juveniles (47 50 mm SVL), the collar covers 2 3 scale lengths and is not interrupted middorsally. The postocular and supralabial light stripes are dim or absent, and there are 6 very irregular transverse rows of separate green scales on the body posterior to the collar. This pattern gives a rather densely speckled appearance to the dorsum. This species was reported from the same locality by Lemos- Espinal, Chiszar and Smith (2002). Only two others are known. Sceloporus jarrovii Cope. Nos are from Puerto San Luis, Sierra San Luis, Sonora ( N, W), 1417 m; , Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. The latter are from the western edge of the range of the species in Sonora. They include five juveniles (36 40 mm SVL) that differ consistently from the others in having the collar interrupted middorsally, prominent postocular and supralabial light stripes, little speckling on the dorsum, and in having the tail dimly banded. Sceloporus lemosespinali Lara-Góngora. Nos are from Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. The locality is at the western edge of the range of the species. Sceloporus merriami sanojae Lemos-Espinal. Nos are from the S end of Sierra Mojada, Coahuila ( N, W), 1053 m; 12328, 12608, Estación del Oro, Coahuila ( N, W), 1189 m; 12306, 12609, Ranch Peñoles, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1194 m. These agree with the original description of specimens from the same localities, which are the only two known for the subspecies. Granules are present between the dorsal scales at least posteriorly. No is especially noteworthy in having what appears to be a complete gular fold; the scales in a transverse row in front of it are distinctly larger than those following it, although there is no free or granular skin between them. The line of contact of these two rows coincides with the short extension ventrally of the nuchal granules in front of the arm, in the same position as in Urosaurus and Uta. In the latter two genera the granules usually extend completely across the throat, but not always. For example, among the 41 specimens of Urosaurus ornatus lateralis reported here, 9 (11937, , 11943, 11963, 11976, 11978, 11984, 12147) have a complete interruption medially, 3 4 scales wide, with absolutely no granules, and the scales uniform in size both anterior and posterior to the interruption. The specimens of Uta reported herein usually have several rows of granules in the gular fold, although in one the fold is interrupted medially by a row of small, imbricate scales. These features and variations suggest a perhaps even closer relationship of S. merriami and Urosaurus than was concluded by both Wiens and Reeder (1997) and Flores-Villela et al. (2000). Both works singled out the variabilis, utiformis/ siniferus and merriami groups as substantially isolated phylogenetically from other groups of Sceloporus. Wiens (1993a: p. 293, 1993b) gave more weight to the distinction of S. merriami from the rest of Sceloporus, and the variation here noted suggests a close relationship of Urosaurus and S. merriami. There is some merit in consideration of the latter as a distinct 49

8 subgenus; it may even be polytypic (Smith et al., 2003). However, at least 3 other subgenera would have to be recognized, for which there is no practical need. Sceloporus nelsoni barrancarum Tanner and Robison. All are from Chihuahua: 13035, Arroyo Las Borregas ( N, W), 470 m; 13042, Gorogachi ( N, W), 700 m; 13066, , 1 no no., Chínipas ( N, W), 469 m. Sceloporus poinsettii polylepis Smith and Chrapliwy. No is from Cueva del Tabaco, Sierra Texas, Coahuila ( N, W), 1133 m. Specimen has 37 dorsals and is a juvenile that does not show the adult pattern. Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus Baird and Girard. Nos , , are from Sierra de En Medio, Rancho Nogales ( N, W), 1461 m. The females (51, 66, 68 mm SVL) have sharply defined dorsolateral and lateral light stripes. A paravertebral row of 7 dark spots, each flanked by a light spot, extends from axilla to groin. The ventral surfaces have no evidence of semeions, except in the smallest a pair of small, light blue spots on the posterior part of the throat. The two males, one an adult (61 mm SVL), have a dorsal pattern much like the females, but less distinct and less sharply defined. The paired blue gular patches have black borders narrowly in contact medially by 1 3 scale lengths. The abdominal semeions are widely separated by a minimum of 5 scale widths. This subspecies has been reported before from the same locality by Lemos-Espinal, Chiszar and Smith (2004). S. edbelli was reported in the same work from a locality about 15 km southeast, in a semiarid flat basin, whereas the present specimens were taken in a distinctly different mountain habitat. Sceloporus virgatus Smith. Nos , , 12798, Puerto de San Luis, Sierra San Luis, Sonora ( N, W), 1417 m; 12564, , , Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m. The latter is the southernmost locality recorded for the species in Sonora. Uma exsul Schmidt and Bogert. Nos , , Dunas de Bilbao, mpio Viesca, Coahuila ( N, W), 1115 m, July. All are juveniles, about 40 mm or less SVL, except for two adults. Urosaurus ornatus lateralis (Boulenger). All are from Sonora: , nr Arroyo El Chuchujaqui ( N, W), 322 m; , 11963, Arroyo El Chuchujaqui ( N, W), 266 m; 11966, nr Laborcita ( N, W), 332 m; , 12147, Río Mayo at the gates of Presa Mocuzari ( N, W), 90 m. This subspecies is readily distinguished from U. o. schottii (and all other subspecies of Urosaurus ornatus in Chihuahua) by its essentially single row of enlarged paravertebrals on each side (vs 2). In this respect it resembles U. bicarinatus, to which it is not particularly closely related (Wiens, 1993b). Urosaurus ornatus schottii Baird and Girard. Nos , are from km 25, hwy 16, Sonora ( N, W), 339 m; 12106, Rio Escondido, Sonora ( N, W), 57 m; 12111, San José de Pima, Sonora ( N, W), 49 m; , Sierra de En Medio, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1436 m; , Sierra de San Luis, Sonora ( N, W), 1417 m; 12588, Yécora, Sonora ( N, W), 1545 m; , , , , , Ortiz, Valle de Guaymas ( N, W), 103 m. This subspecies is remarkably distinct from U. o. lateralis of southeastern Sonora in having two rows of enlarged paravertebral scales on each side. One adult male from northwestern Chihuahua exhibits blue spots on the scales of the top and sides of the head, and on the base of the tail. No others from that area have such markings, which suggest some influence of the adjacent, much bluer U. o. caeruleus. Uta stansburiana elegans Yarrow. Nos are from Estero Tastiota, Sonora ( N, W), 14 m; 12107, nr Bahía Kino ( N, W), 57 m. These do not represent U. s. taylori; although the males lack evidence of dorsolateral light lines, they are present although dim in females, one from each locality, and are bright in a hatchling 20 mm SVL. Uta stansburiana stejnegeri Schmidt. No is from Charcos de Risa, Coahuila ( N, W), 1096 m; 12306, 12308, Cañón del Oso, Sierra de San Luis, Chihuahua ( N, W), 1661 m; , Cueva del Tabaco, Sierra Texas, Coahuila ( N, W), 1133 m; 12400, Dunas de Bilbao, Coahuila ( N, W), 1115 m; Cerro Tetas de Juana ( N, W), 1096 m. All localities are within the known range of the subspecies. Acknowledgments We are much indebted for the support of UBIPRO for studies by JLE under projects BE002, CE001 and CE002, and for that of DGAPA-PASPA. The University of Colorado provided facilities for his sabbatical leave there, Dr. J. M. Walker kindly identified some of the populations of Aspidoscelis. Literature Cited Anderson, J. D Ambystoma rosaceum. Cat. Amer. Amph. Rept.: Bogert, C. M., and E. E. Dorson A new lizard of the genus Callisaurus from Sonora. Copeia 1942: Bogert, C. M., and J. A. Oliver A preliminary analysis of the herpetofauna of Sonora. Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. 83:

9 Crother, B. I Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Soc. Study Amphib. Rept. Herpetol. Circular 29. Duellman, W. B Hylid frogs of Middle America. 2 vols. Revised and expanded edition. Ithaca, New York: Soc. Study Amphib. Rept. Flores-Villela, O., M. Kjer, M. Benabib and J. W. Sites Multiple data sets, congruence, and hypothesis testing for the phylogeny of the basal groups of the lizard genus Sceloporus (Squamata, Phrynosomatidae). Syst. Biol. 49: Fugler, C. M., and J. R. Dixon Notes on the herpetofauna of the El Dorado area of Sinaloa, Mexico. Michigan State Univ. Mus. Publ. 2:1-24. Hardy, L. M., and R. W. McDiarmid The amphibians and reptiles of Sinaloa, Mexico. Univ. Kansas Publ. Mus. Nat. Hist. 18: Lemos-Espinal, J. A., D. L. Auth, D. Chiszar and H. M. Smith Year 2000 amphibians taken in Chihuahua, Mexico. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc. 37: Lemos-Espinal, J. A., D. Chiszar and H. M. Smith Results and the biological significance of a fall herpetological survey of the transmontane sand dunes of northern Chihuahua, Mexico. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc. 30: Lemos-Espinal, J. A., D. Chiszar and H. M. Smith The 2001 collection of Sceloporus (Reptilia: Sauria) from Chihuahua, Mexico. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 37(9): Lemos-Espinal, J. A., D. Chiszar and H. M. Smith Miscellaneous 2002 lizards from Chihuahua, Mexico. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 39(1):1-7. Lemos-Espinal, J. A., H. M. Smith and D. Chiszar Distributional and variational data on some species of turtles and lizards from Chihuahua, Mexico. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 36(10): Lemos-Espinal, J. A., H. M. Smith and D. Chiszar Miscellaneous 2001 lizards from Chihuahua, Mexico. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 37(6): Lemos-Espinal, J. A., H. M. Smith, D. Hartman and D. Chiszar Selected year 2003 amphibians and turtles from Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 39(6): Lemos-Espinal, J. A., J. M. Walker and H. M. Smith Cnemidophorus costatus barrancarum: Habitat. Herpetol. Rev. 34(4): Lieb, C. S Biochemical and karyological systematics of the Mexican lizards of the Anolis gadovi and A. nebulosus species groups (Reptilia: Iguanidae). Los Angeles, California, Univ. of California Ph.D. Diss. xx, 308 pp. Martín del Campo, R Callisaurus draconoides bogerti subsp. nov. An. Inst. Biol. Univ. Mexico 14: Nelson, C. E Further studies on the systematics of Hypopachus (Anura: Microhylidae). Herpetologica 30(3): Price, A. H., and B. K. Sullivan Bufo microscaphus. Cat. Amer. Amph. Rept.: Smith, H. M., J. A. Lemos-Espinal and D. Chiszar New subspecies of Sceloporus merriami (Reptilia: Lacertilia) and the derivation of its subspecies. Southw. Nat. 48: Stebbins, R. C A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. New York: Houghton Mifflin. Tanner, W. W Lizards and turtles of western Chihuahua. Gr. Basin Nat. 47: )))) Amphibians of western Chihuahua. Gr. Basin Nat. 49: Walker, J. M., J. A. Lemos-Espinal and H. M. Smith. 2003a. Cnemidophorus costatus barrancarum. Reproduction. Herpetol. Rev. 34(4):366. Walker, J. M., J. A. Lemos-Espinal and H. M. Smith. 2003b. Cnemidophorus costatus barrancarum. Color pattern. Herpetol. Rev. 34(4): Wiens, J. J. 1993a. Phylogenetic relationships of phrynosomatid lizards and monophyly of the Sceloporus group. Copeia 1993(2): )))). 1993b. Phylogenetic systematics of the tree lizards (genus Urosaurus). Herpetologica 49(4): Wiens, J. J., and T. W. Reeder Phylogeny of the spiny lizards (Sceloporus) based on molecular and morphological evidence. Herpetol. Monogr. 11: Zweifel, R. G Variation in and distribution of lizards of western Mexico related to Cnemidophorus sacki. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 117: )))) Eleutherodactylus augusti. Cat. Amer. Amph. Rept.:

10 Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 40(3):52-53, 2005 Observations on Ectoparasitism by Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Acari: Trombiculidae) in a Population of Sceloporus cyanogenys Cristina García-de la Peña, Gamaliel Castañeda and David Lazcano Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León Apartado Postal 513, San Nicolás de los Garza Nuevo León, C.P Mexico crisgp15@yahoo. com Abstract We observed degrees of infestation by the mite Eutrombicula alfreddugesi on the blue spiny lizard, Sceloporus cyanogenys, in a population from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. We considered sex, snout vent length, weight and number of mites in three corporal regions of 16 lizards. All of the lizards had some degree of infestation; however 87.5% of males and 75% of females showed a high infestation (> 15 mites). For males the mean number of mites was ± 55.5, while for females it was ± Mites were found exclusively in the neck pockets of both sexes. Apparently the physical condition of S. cyanogenys is not affected by this ectoparasitism. Key words: Eutrombicula alfreddugesi, Sceloporus cyanogenys, ectoparasitism, neck pockets. Introduction In recent years, knowledge about parasitism in reptiles has grown, and interest has grown as well because the consequences may be of great importance (Barnard and Behnke, 1990). One lizard species in which chigger mites have been observed is the blue spiny lizard, Sceloporus cyanogenys (Cope, 1885). There is little information about the biology and ecology of this lizard (Hunsaker, 1959; Kennedy, 1960; Greenberg, 1977) and until now the identity of the parasitic mite species was not known. Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Oudemans, 1910) is a red mite; it is the species most frequently implicated in cases of human infestation in the United States (Jenkins, 1948; Potts, 2001). The larva of this mite causes an itch and inflammation common in children. This parasite has been studied in other lizard populations: some lizard species known to be affected are Sceloporus grammicus microlepidotus, S. palaciosi (Gadsden, 1988), S. couchii (García-de la Peña et al., 2004) and S. undulatus (McAllister, 1980; Klukowski, 2004). To date, there has been no information about ectoparasitism of S. cyanogenys by E. alfreddugesi. Therefore, we attempted to determine the degree of infestation by sex and body distribution of this parasite and its relationship with the microhabitat in a lizard population of Nuevo León, México. Methodology In October 2003, while studying the herpetofauna of Parque Ecológico Chipinque in the municipalities of Garza García and Monterrey, Nuevo León ( N, W; elev m), we captured 16 adult Sceloporus cyanogenys with a noose or by hand. The vegetation type in this park is pine-oak forest: species like Pinus teocote, P. pseudostrobus, Quercus rysophylla and Q. polymorpha are the most abundant. Data obtained for each lizard were sex (hemipenial eversion used to identify males), snout vent length (SVL, to nearest mm), TM weight (W, with a 30-g Pesola spring scale) and the total number of chigger mites carried (T m). To obtain the latter, we carefully examined lizards, but especially the neck pockets, axillae and postfemoral pleats. The mites were removed at the place of capture using wetted cotton swabs. The red color of the mites allowed counting them on the surface of the cotton with a magnifying glass and collecting them. Lizards were released at the place of capture. We used the criteria of Talleklint-Eisen and Eisen (1999) to categorize infestation intensity: low (1 to 6 mites per individual), moderate (7 to 15), or high (> 15). A Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness of fit test rem vealed SVL, W and T to be normally distributed, so we used t-tests to compare means of SVL, W and T m between males and females. We also carried out regression analyses of SVL vs T m, and W vs T m for both sexes. For all tests the significance level was 0.05; measurements are reported as mean ± SE. Results We captured 16 S. cyanogenys (8 males and 8 females), all of which carried chigger mites. There were no significant differences between mean SVL and W of males (66.0 ± 9.7 mm, 17.0 ± 7.8 g) and females (63.2 ± 4.7 mm, 11.5 ± 2.5 g), t = 0.19, d.f. = 14; t = 0.46, d.f. = 14, respectively. Of the 8 males, 12.5% (n = 1) showed a low infestation, but in the remainder (87.5%; n = 7), infestation was high. Of the 8 females, 12.5% (n = 1) had a low infestation, 12.5% (n = 1) showed a moderate level of mites and 75% (n = 6) had heavy infestations. Mean T m values for males (142.5 ± 55.5; range: 5 500) and females ( ± 57.4; range: 5 500) did not differ significantly (t = 0.26, d.f. = 14). We found 2 no relationship between SVL and T m for males (r = 0.26; F1,6 2 = 2.82; n = 8) or females (r = 0.24, F 1,6 = 1.93; n = 8); 2 nor between W and T m for each sex (males: r = 0.29, F 1,6 = ; n = 8; females: r = 0.49, F = 5.77; n = 8). SVL 1,6 52

11 and W of the hosts were significantly related in both sexes 2 2 (males: r = 0.94, F 1,6 = 94.01; n = 8; females: r = 0.87, F 1,6 = 40.73; n = 8). Mites were found exclusively in the neck pockets of males and females. Six of the males (75%) and eight females (100%) were found on vertical limestone surfaces; the remaining 25% of males were captured on fallen Pinus teocote logs. Discussion Dunlap and Mathies (1993) and Schall et al. (2000) conclude that the presence of large quantities of Ixodes pacificus in S. occidentalis (over 78 parasites per lizard) can promote negative consequences for the host, such as a reduction in the density of red blood cells. In the present work no significant relationship between the SVL, weight and total number of mites in male or female lizards was found; hence we can conclude that infestation by these parasites does not reduce the physical condition of S. cyanogenys. However, the mean number of mites was greater than 100 parasites in both sexes, which means a high infestation degree; though the sample size in this work may not be able to establish if the physical condition of this lizard is affected or not by this parasite. On the other hand, all of the parasites we found were located in the neck pockets of both male and female lizards. Salvador et al. (1999) proved the preference of Ixodes ricinus to the neck pockets of Psammodromus algirus. Their hypothesis was that lizard mites may prefer these pockets when there is available space in them. At the same time, this selection of specific areas may result in a benefit for the host in preventing the presence of parasites in other functionally important areas such as the eardrums and axillae. The obtained results in this study of S. cyanogenys agree with the latter hypothesis, however, it is yet necessary to make more studies about the biolo gy and ecology of this lizard and the degree of ectoparasitism in other populations of this species. Acknowledgments To Nixon Wilson (University of Northern Iowa, EUA) for the determination of the chigger mite and to Gabriel Mata- Flores and Andrés Ríos-Saldaña for their help in the field. Literature Cited Barnard, C. J., and J. M. Behnke Parasitism and host behaviour. London: Taylor and Francis. Cope, E. D A contribution to the herpetology of Mexico. I. The collection of the Comisión Científica. IV. Cozumel Island. VI. A synopsis of the Mexican species of the genus Sceloporus Wieg. Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. 22: Dunlap, K. D., and T. Mathies Effects of nymphal ticks and their interaction with malaria on the physiology of male fence lizards. Copeia 1993: Gadsden, E. H Comparación altitudinal de ectoparásitos de lagartijas del complejo Sceloporus grammicus (Reptilia, Iguanidae) en la Sierra de Tepoztlán, Morelos, México. Acta Zoológica Mexicana (n.s.) 30: García-de la Peña, C., A. Contreras-Balderas, G. Castañeda and D. Lazcano Infestación y distribución corporal de la nigua Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Acari: Trombiculidae) en el Lacertilio de las rocas Sceloporus couchii (Sauria: Phrynosomatidae). Acta Zoológica Mexicana (n.s.) 20(2): Greenberg, N An ethogram of the blue spiny lizard, Sceloporus cyanogenys (Reptilia: Lacertilia: Iguanidae). J. Herpetology 11(2): Hunsaker, D., II Birth and litter sizes of the blue spiny lizard Sceloporus cyanogenys. Copeia 1959(3): Jenkins, D. W Trombiculid mites affecting man. II. Control of larval behavior for disease transmission studies. Am. J. Hyg. 48: Kennedy, J. P Parturition of the blue spiny lizard, Sceloporus cyanogenys Cope. Southwestern Naturalist 5(1): Klukowski, M Seasonal changes in abundance of host-seeking chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) and infestations on fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus. J. Herpetology 38(1): McAllister, C. T Observations on the incidence of chiggers, Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Oudemans) on Crotaphytus (Sauria: Iguanidae) in Izard County, Arkansas. Proceedings Arkansas Academy of Science 34:125. Oudemans, A. C Acarologische Aanteekeningen XXIII. Entomologische berichten Amsterdam (Netherlands) 54 (3, 1 Juli): Potts, J Eradication of ectoparasites in children. How to treat infestations of lice, scabies and chiggers. Postgraduate Medicine 110(1): Salvador, A. J., P. Veiga and E. Civantos Do skin pockets of lizards reduce the deleterious effects of ectoparasites? An experimental study with Psammodromus algirus. Herpetologica 55(1):1-7. Schall, J. J., H. R. Prendeville and K. A. Hanley Prevalence of the tick, Ixodes pacificus, on western fence lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis: Trends by gender, size, season, site, and mite infestation. J. Herpetology 34: Talleklint-Eisen, L., and R. J. Eisen Abundance of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting the western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, in relation to environmental factors. Experimental and Applied Acarology 23:

12 Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 40(3):54-57, 2005 Notes on Geckos of the Genus Siwaligekko Khan, 2003 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Pakistan Muhammad Sharif Khan* Herpetological Laboratory 15/6 Darul Sadar North Rabwah PAKISTAN Abstract Short notes on morphology, ecology and distribution, and a key for identification of the Pakistani species of the sub-himalayan genus Siwaligekko are provided. Introduction The main topographical feature of northern Pakistan is the western wing of the Himalayas, comprising three ranges: the Great Himalayas, elevation more than 4600 m; the Lesser Himalayas, m, and the sub-himalayas or the Siwalik, m (Khan, 1980b). In Pakistan the genus Altigekko Khan, 2003, is widely distributed in the Greater and Lesser Himalayas (Khan, 2004), while the recently described peculiar geckos of genus Siwaligekko Khan, 2003, are confined to the hills of the Siwalik. The geckos of the genus Siwaligekko comprise several upland species distributed in the sub-himalayas from Pakistan through India to Nepal, and in peninsular India in the south. The three Pakistani species recently described are: Siwaligekko mintoni (Golubev and Szczerbak, 1981) from Swat, North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), S. dattanensis (Khan, 1980) Datta, Hazara, NWFP, and S. battalensis (Khan 1993), Batgram, Hazara, NWFP. The list of extralimital Siwaligekko species is long, including: Siwaligekko fasciolatus (Blyth, 1860) from Simla, India; S. lawderanus (Stoliczka, 1871) Almora, Kumaon, Calcutta, India; S. tibetanus (Boulenger, 1905) Chaksam Ferry, Tsangpo Valley, Tibet, China; S. himalayanus (Duda and Sahi, 1978) Kashmir; S. markuscombaii (Darevsky et al., 1997) Nepal; S. martinstollii (Darevsky et al., 1997) Nepal; S. nepalensis (Schleich and Kästle, 1998) Nepal; S. nebulosus (Beddome, 1870),Golconda Hills; Gorge Hills, Godavery, Madras; S. collegalensis (Beddome, 1870), Southern Indian Hills and Sri Lanka; S. deccanensis (Günther, 1864), Northern Western Ghats, southern India;, S. albofasciatus (Boulenger, 1885), South Kanara District, western Ghats, southern India, S. jeyporensis (Beddome, 1877), Patinghe Hill, Jeypore, Madras, Southern India and S. triedrus (Günther, 1864) from mountainous Sri Lanka. General characteristics of Pakistani geckos of the genus Siwaligekko The Pakistani Siwaligekko are medium-sized geckos (snout vent length mm), with body and tail cylindrical and plump. The tail is shorter than or subequal to the body (35 72 mm), tapers evenly, is not whiplike, and is indistinctly segmented. Tail segmentation is indicated by 2 3 dorsolateral rows of minute, blunt tubercles on the anterior half. The tail is fragile at its base; the regenerated tail is not swollen; subcaudals are indistinct, in several rows. No supraciliary spines are present on the posterior half of the upper eyelids; dorsal granular scales round to polygonal, juxtaposed, beadlike (convex), interspersed with three to four times larger similar smooth or slightly keeled tubercles, extending to the neck and head, but absent from limbs. Postfemoral tubercles absent; interorbital scales 21 35; midabdominals 36 56; midventrals ; subdigital lamellae under basal part of the digits somewhat broader than those under angular part; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 14 21; male with 8 10 preanal pores, no femoral pores; both types of pores absent in female. Color: Dorsum colored from amber, shading to yellow (mintoni), darkish gray (dattanensis) or light brown (battalensis), with a pattern of sooty black to light brown crossbars, spots, blotches or reticulations; tail barred, tail pattern extends to ventral side. Natural history Figure 1. Siwaligekko dattanensis (Khan, 1980) Siwaligekko are characteristic of the Himalayan and south Indian moist Alpine Zone. In the Himalayas the zone is typified by permanent grass cover and scattered juniper trees, with scattered tumbled boulders. The area is overgrazed and modified due to intense human intervention. It is spread throughout higher slopes of the Kaghan valley, Azad Kashmir, Swat, Dir * Address for communication: Muhammad Sharif Khan, 151 S. Bishop Avenue, Apt. A17, Secane, PA 19018, USA. typhlops99@hotmail.com. 54

13 Figure 2. Distribution of Pakistani species of the genus Siwaligekko: 1-2 = S. mintoni; 3 = S. battalensis; 4-5 = S. dattanensis; 6-8 = extralimital species from Kashmir. and Indus Kohistan. The vegetation is heterogeneous, consisting of Betula, Juniperus and Salix trees, with Poa and Iris grasses (Khan, 1999). Geckos other than Siwaligekko reported from the sub-himalayas are Eublepharis macularius, Cyrtopodion scaber and Mediodactylus walli (Khan, 1999). The Siwaligekko are gregarious, living in groups, retreating in a common crevice or hole in a rock, under loose stones, or a slab close to vegetation. They readily invade inhabited buildings, where they stay in holes and crevices among brick and stone walls. Their movements are slow and deliberate. The geckos come out of their retreats just after sunset, radiating out in the surrounding vegetation to forage for insects and insect larvae, retreating back before dawn. Dipterous insects are a predominant part of their diet; however insect larvae and worms constitute a considerable part of their stomach contents. In the Himalayas breeding season extends from April to early June; juveniles are seen active by early May. A clutch consists of 1 2 oval eggs with white calcareous shells, deposited between rocks or in crevices in the brick walls of buildings; usually eggs are laid in communal sites. When caught, the geckos typically give a low squeak, turn and threaten to bite, often voiding excrement in the effort (Khan 1980a; 1993). Because of their slow movements these geckos have many predators. Among their reptilian predators are agamid lizards of the genus Laudakia (himalayana, nuristanica, tuberculata), Bengal monitors, Varanus bengalensis, cliff racers, Platyceps rhodorachis, and Central Asian cobras, Naja oxiana. Local people kill the gecko, considering it venomous. Distribution The Siwaligekko species in the Pakistani part of the sub- Himalayas, are low altitude submontane geckos, ranging between N, E, at m of elevation. The Siwalik Hills run from Rawalpindi through Abbottabad, and Manshera Districts in alpine eastern NWFP, Pakistan, extending eastward into Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim and Assam (Khan, 2003). The south peninsular Indian species range from plains to 2000 m along the eastern and western Ghats, between N, E (Smith, 1935). Key to the species of genus Siwaligekko in Pakistan 1. Three nasal scales; dorsal pattern of transverse bands that are much narrower than the interspaces, tending to break into spots on sides Siwaligekko mintoni Two nasal scales; dorsal pattern of transverse bands; bands as broad as interspaces at least in subadults, may become narrower in adult and form a reticulum Dorsal bands broader than the interspaces; midventrals 149 to Siwaligekko dattanensis Dorsal bands breaking into a reticulum; midventrals 194 to Siwaligekko battalensis Siwaligekko battalensis (Khan, 1993) Reticulate plump-bodied gecko Distribution: Known only from its type locality, Batgram, District Manshera, NWFP, Pakistan, N, E. Siwaligekko dattanensis (Khan, 1980) Banded plump-bodied gecko Distribution: Widely distributed in alpine Punjab and eastern Northwestern Frontier Province, Pakistan, N, E. Siwaligekko mintoni (Golubev and Szczerbak, 1981) Swati plump-bodied gecko Distribution: Known from Udigram, Swat, NWFP, Pakistan, N, E. Minton (1966) collected this species and tentatively identified it as Gymnodactylus stoliczkai. However, later Golubev and Szczerbak (1981) described it as a new species, Gymnodactylus mintoni. 55

14 Concluding remarks Siwaligekko are morphologically closer to the ancestral cyrtodactylid geckos than any of the other angular-toed geckos of the circum-himalayan region, a fact already noted by Szczerbak and Golubev (1984:55). The nomen nudum genus Gonydactylus Kuhl and Van Hasselt 1822, has repeatedly been synonomized with the genus Cyrtodactylus (Kluge, 1985; Das, 1996; Darevsky et al., 1997; Schleich and Kästle, 1998; Rösler, 2000), moving Cyrtodactylus species to and fro (Kluge, 1993, 2001; Schleich and Kästle, 2002). The recently described Nepalese geckos (S. markuscombaii, S. martinstollii and S. nepalensis) are remarkably similar in morphology to the west Himalayan Siwaligekko battalensis (Khan, 1993). Table 1. Scale counts and measurements (in mm) for Pakistani species of genus Swaligekko (Data for S. mintoni from Golubev and Szczerbak, 1981; for S. dattanensis from Khan, 1980 and for S. battalensis from Khan, 1993). Character Siwaligekko mintoni (N = 1) Siwaligekko dattanensis (N = 10) Siwaligekko battalensis (N = 7) Snout vent length Tail length Supralabials Infralabials 8/ Interorbitals Number of midabdominal scales Number of midventrals Subdigital lamellae 4th toe Preanal pores Dorsal pattern Banded; bands are much narrower than interspaces and tend to break into spots on sides Banded; bands are as broad as interspaces and have irregular margins Reticulum; young have bands as broad as interspaces, which become narrower and reticulate in adults References Anderson, J On some Persian, Himalayan and other reptiles. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1872: Boulenger, G. A The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Taylor & Francis. Das, I Biogeography of the reptiles of South Asia. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. Darevsky, I. S., N. Helfeberger, N. Orlov and K. Shah Two new species of the genus Gonydactylus (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from eastern Nepal. Russian J. Herpetology 4: Golubev, M. L., and N. N. Szczerbak A new species of the genus Gymnodactylus Spix 1825 (Reptilia, Sauria, Gekkonidae). Vestnik Zoologii, Kiev, 1981(3): [in Russian] Khan, M. S. 1980a. A new species of gecko from northern Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 12: )))). 1980b. Affinities and zoogeography of herpetiles of Pakistan. Biologia (Lahore), 26: )))) A new cyrtodactylid gecko from northwestern Punjab, Pakistan. J. Herpetology 22: )))) A new angular-toed gecko from Pakistan, with remarks on the taxonomy and a key to the species belonging to genus Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia: Sauria: Geckkonidae). Pakistan Journal of Zoology 25(1): )))) Herpetology of habitat types of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 31: )))) Taxonomic notes on angulate-toed gekkota of Pakistan, with description of a new species of genus Cyrtopodion. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 33(1): )))) Questions of generic designation of angular-toed geckos of Pakistan with descriptions of three new genera (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). Journal of Natural History and Wildlife (Karachi) 2(2):1-9. )))) Notes on high altitude geckos of the genus Altigekko in northeastern Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 39(12): Khan, M. S., and K. J. Baig A new Tenuidactylus gecko from northeastern Gilgit Agency, North Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 24:

15 Kluge, A. G Notes on gecko nomenclature (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Zool. Meded. 59: )))) Gekkonoid lizard taxonomy. International Gecko Society, San Diego, California. )))) Gekkotan lizard taxonomy. Hamadryad 26(1): Mertens, R Die Amphibien und Reptilien West-Pakistans. Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk. 197:1-96. Minton, S. A A contribution to the herpetology of West Pakistan. Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. 134(2): Rösler, H Kommentierte Liste der rezenten, subrezenten und fossilen Gecko-Taxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha). Gekkota 2: Schleich, H. H., and W. Kästle Description of Gonydactylus nepalensis spec. nov. from the inner Terai of far west Nepal (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae). Pp In: H. H. Schleich and W. Kästle, editors, Contributions to the herpetology of South Asia (Nepal, India). Veröffentlichungen aus dem Fuhlrott-Museum 4. Schleich, H. H., and W. Kästle Amphibians and reptiles of Nepal. Koenigstein, Germany: Koeltz Scientific Books. Smith, M. A The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II: Sauria. London: Taylor and Francis Ltd. Szczerbak, N. N., and M. L. Golubev On the generic assignment of the Palearctic lizards of the genus Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia, Gekkonidae). Vestnik Zoologii, Kiev, 1984(2): [in Russian with English abstract] Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 40(3):57-58, 2005 Book Review: The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere by Jonathan A. Campbell and William W. Lamar Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. Vol. 1, xviii pp.; Vol. 2, xiv pp. ISBN $149.95* * This and many other books and other products are available at Amazon.com. If you first visit the CHS website, and then use the Amazon icon you find there to enter Amazon s site, any purchases you make will help to support the CHS. Having been fans of the predecessor volume by these authors, The Venomous Reptiles of Latin America (1989), we looked forward to the new, expanded treatment embracing the toxicophidiofaunas of the United States and Canada in addition to those of Latin America. Venturing above 30 N latitude adds an impressive land area to the scope of the book (19,414,023 2 km ), but only a measly six species of venomous snakes are added to the picture. To be sure, the list of venomous reptiles for the United States and Canada contains 23 species, but the majority of these also occur in at least one Latin American nation; only six do not. Hence, expanding the scope of the David Chiszar, Hobart M. Smith and Julio A. Lemos-Espinal 1. Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO Department of Ecology and Environmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO book to include the entire Western Hemisphere brings herpetological closure without greatly taxing the authors or the readers cognitive faculties. In other words, the real contribution of the new work is less a matter of its expanded geographic coverage than a matter of its revision and updating of the Latin American material. This is the reason for purchasing The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere, and the volumes succeed admirably in integrating the last 15 years worth of research into the fabric of the 1989 book. To look more deeply into this assertion, consider that the 1989 work contained 27 double-column pages of references, which numbered approximately 1,470 citations. The new volumes contain 96 double-column pages of references, numbering just over 4,700, or about 3.2 times the number of references contained in the earlier book. Two factors account for this increase in the size of the Literature Cited. First is the continuing explosion in scientific knowledge, which appears to accelerate with each passing decade. Numerous classical books and papers are cited, going well back into the nineteenth century and even earlier (e.g., Lacépède, ), but the authors have also been extremely thorough in dealing with recent literature. We sampled ten pages of references and counted the 3. Laboratorio de Ecologia, UBIPRO, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM, Apartado Postal 314, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Edo. de Mexico 54090, Mexico. 57